Rolling a Nat 20 on Identity: Dungeon and Dragons as a Queer tool
Location
Ponderosa Room B
Presentation Type
Presentation
Presentation Topic
Social Justice, LGBTQ, Identity Exploration and Representation
Start Date
3-3-2023 10:10 AM
Event Sort Order
14
Abstract
Imagine you are a queer person in a society where you are told you are wrong, disgusting, and monstrous. You don’t get to see people like you up on the big screens or in mainstream media. This can have disastrous consequences.
Now imagine that as a queer person you find a community where you can be yourself without fear of the repercussions. For many people, that safe and welcoming environment has been found through Dungeons and Dragons (D&D).
Since its debut in 1974, Dungeons and Dragons has quickly become the most popular role-playing game in the world. In total, a reported 50 million individuals played Dungeons and Dragons regularly.
Dungeons and Dragons also is no longer a game meant for cishet men; with around 49% of players self-identified as queer. Creating characters and extensions of the individuals themselves outside of the societal norms of sex and gender, Dungeons and Dragons have opened itself up to those who’s lives already fall outside of those boundaries in a day to day setting.
Exploring one’s identity is a vital part of growing up queer. With such nuances between gender roles, gender identities and sexualities, there’s a lot to consider and account for when trying to find who you are. Having a place where the individual can freely and safely explore those complex thoughts and emotions can lead to that individual being more confident in their identity.
Through IRB certified surveys and analysis of Dungeon and Dragon live plays, I have explored just how vital something such as a game is when it comes to the queer experience. When proper exploration and representation is given, queer people excel in their identities. It is often said that fantasy effects reality in profound ways and I believe that is true especially within the queer community.
Rolling a Nat 20 on Identity: Dungeon and Dragons as a Queer tool
Ponderosa Room B
Imagine you are a queer person in a society where you are told you are wrong, disgusting, and monstrous. You don’t get to see people like you up on the big screens or in mainstream media. This can have disastrous consequences.
Now imagine that as a queer person you find a community where you can be yourself without fear of the repercussions. For many people, that safe and welcoming environment has been found through Dungeons and Dragons (D&D).
Since its debut in 1974, Dungeons and Dragons has quickly become the most popular role-playing game in the world. In total, a reported 50 million individuals played Dungeons and Dragons regularly.
Dungeons and Dragons also is no longer a game meant for cishet men; with around 49% of players self-identified as queer. Creating characters and extensions of the individuals themselves outside of the societal norms of sex and gender, Dungeons and Dragons have opened itself up to those who’s lives already fall outside of those boundaries in a day to day setting.
Exploring one’s identity is a vital part of growing up queer. With such nuances between gender roles, gender identities and sexualities, there’s a lot to consider and account for when trying to find who you are. Having a place where the individual can freely and safely explore those complex thoughts and emotions can lead to that individual being more confident in their identity.
Through IRB certified surveys and analysis of Dungeon and Dragon live plays, I have explored just how vital something such as a game is when it comes to the queer experience. When proper exploration and representation is given, queer people excel in their identities. It is often said that fantasy effects reality in profound ways and I believe that is true especially within the queer community.
Presenter Bio
I'm from the University of Central Oklahoma and I'm double Majoring in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies as well as Funeral Services. I am also considering adding a minor in Sociology. I hope to one day move to the North West and open my own funeral home centered around non-traditional funerals. My fun fact is that I have been playing D&D for 7 years and DMing for 5.